Friday, March 21, 2014

Anyone on the East Coast can attest that it has been a long, cold snowy winter. So last week, when Chris and I returned from vacation and prepared to reopen for the 2014 season, we were so gratified to find only this little remnant of snow left at A Butler's Manor. Hey, we may not be out of the winter woods yet -- I have pictures somewhere of snow-laden trees in early April, but I also have pictures of a freakishly warm April when we served breakfast on the patio. After the first winter where meteorologists actually named the storms, like they do hurricanes, I figure we're due for a warm Spring. Bring it on!

We opened this past weekend to a full house of people who probably thought the same thing, and I'm wondering if the unusually high number of pre-bookings for the upcoming year reflects a lot of folks who just want to have a vacation somewhere warm and comforting to look forward to? It's only March, but things are booking fast, so if you have a date in mind to come visit the Hamptons, check out our availability calendar today!

Spring formally arrived yesterday about 1 PM and we were cheered by bright sunny skies and crocuses peeping through the winter debris in the garden. I was greeted by a robin perched on our mailbox. Hooray!

Hamptons Restaurant Week begins this Sunday, a favorite event for both locals and visitors alike, where dozens of restaurants on both North and South Forks present three-course prix fixe menus for $27.95. It's a great time to sample some of the restaurants that are difficult to get into once Summer arrives. (The Sticky Toffee Pudding dessert offered at The Living Room at c/o the Maidstone in East Hampton is worth the visit all on its own!)

Coming up on the calendar is the annual Parrish Art Museum Spring Fling, always a fun, well-attended party to benefit the children's programs at the museum. This year, in addition to the food, drink, live band, and silent auction, they are featuring a scavenger hunt, advertising it as your chance to become an art detective. Fun!

In other local news, the fascia is being completed and interior work is continuing on the much-anticipated opening of a Southampton branch of Citarella Markets.Citarella is a New York City-based foodie market known for their great meats and seafood. The Southampton store will bring to three their presence in the Hamptons (they also have markets in East Hampton and Bridgehampton). Speaking as someone who visits the supermarket every day (whether I plan to or not!), this will be a welcome addition to our current grocery options. Now, if we could only get a Southampton Starbucks....

Off to start cleaning up the garden in anticipation of a bright, warm Spring!

Quote of the day: Every spring is the only spring--a perpetual astonishment. --Ellis Peters

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About Us

A Butler's Manor is a bed and breakfast located in Southampton Village, New York, in the heart of the Hamptons. Our gracious 1860 Colonial house has five guest rooms and is listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. For more details, photos, or to check availability online, check our website at www.abutlersmanor.com

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About Me

Co-owner & chef, A Butler's Manor B&B; and author of three nonfiction books: A BUTLER'S LIFE: SCENES FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SILVER SALVER...A BUTLER'S MANOR: THE COOKBOOK...and WEDDING WONDERS, and two suspense novels, BLOOD EXPOSURE and NET STALKER, and a contemporary novel, CHOICE.